Suction cleaner



Search Roon A ril 6, 1937.

H. B. WHITE SUCTION CLEANER l. 1933 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec.

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ATTORNEY April 6, 1937. H. B. WHITE 2,076,390

SUCTION CLEANER Filed Dec. 1, 1953 s Sheis-Sheet 2 INVENTOR HarryflWhile V ATTORNEY .5. sausmgflsme. bB'dIUH [\Wl" 'ANING.

April 1937- H. B. WHITE 2.076390 SUCTION CLEANER Filed "Dec. 1, 1933 sSheets-Sheet s INVENTOR watta e- Patented Apr. 6, 1937 UNITED STATESSearch com PATENT OFFICE SUCTION CLEANER poration of Ohio ApplicationDecember 1, 1933, Serial No. 700,386

18 Claims.

The present invention relates to suction cleaners in general andparticularly to new and novel improvements in combined suction cleanersand dusting tool combinations. More specifically the inventioncomprises. the improvement in a suction cleaner which insures that thesurface covering agitator is lifted from the surface covering undergoingcleaning when the dusting tools are connected to the machine foroif-the-fioor cleaning.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a new and novelsuction cleaner construction. It is a further object to provide a newand improved suction cleaner in which the attachment of the dustingtools automatically lifts the cleaner nozzle from the surface coveringundergoing cleaning. Still another object is the provision of new andnovel improvements in combined suction cleaners and dusting tools whichfunction to prevent the contacting of the surface covering by theagitator when the cleaner is used with the dusting tools. These andother more specific objects will appear upon reading the followingspecification and claims and upon considering in connection therewiththe attached drawings to which they relate.

In the drawings in which the same reference character is used to referto the same part throughout:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a suction cleaner 'with dusting toolsattached and the cleaner nozzle spaced above the surface coveringundergoing cleaning.

Figure 2 is a partial bottom view of the front end of the cleaner shownin Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a section upon the line 3-3 of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a side view, with certain parts broken away, showing theopposite side of the cleaner disclosed in Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a side view of the cleaner with the dusting tools removedand the cleaner in its on-the-floor cleaning relationship.

Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 1 of a second preferred embodimentof the invention;

Figure '7 is a section upon the line l--I of Figure 6;

Figure 8 is a section upon the line 8-8 of Figure 6;

Figure 9 is a side view of the cleaner shown in Figure 6 with thedusting tools removed and the cleaner in its on-the-floor relationship,the cover plate being broken away.

The modern suction cleaner is designed to perform two functions. Itsprimary duty is the cleaning of surface coverings. Its importantsecondary duty is the cleaning of drapes, curtains, etc. which arepositioned above the floor. The well designed cleaner is much too heavyto be carried by the operator for the cleaning of drapes, etc. In orderto accomplish the secondary function, therefore, dusting tool units areprovided which are adapted to be attached to the cleaner units and tomake available the suction of that unit at a distance therefrom. Thesedusting tools usually comprise an articlecontacting nozzle, 2. flexiblehose, and a converter member which is adapted to be secured to thecleaner proper in such a manner that the suction-creating device thereofis made effective through the hose and at the tool nozzle. The mosteflicient present day cleaners are provided with rotary agitators intheir nozzles. While these agitators perform a beneficial function inthe cleaning operation of the machine in the onthe-floor cleaning theyserve no function in offthe-floor cleaning. It is obviously undesirablefor the agitator to rotate in contact with the surface covering forunlimited periods of time in one location. This fact is true withagitators comprising bristles of the most flexible type, as well asagitators formed of rigid beating elements. When the dusting tool unitis attached to the cleaner there is little cleaner movement, theoperator generally leaving the cleaner in one particular position andmoving from article to article within the range of the flexible toolhose. In order to prevent injury to the surface covering, therefore,means should be provided which automatically render the agitatorineffective when the dusting tools are used. The present inventionaccomplishes this function in a new and novel manner.

Referring again to the drawings, and Figures 1 to 5, inclusive, inparticular, a preferred embodiment of the present invention isdisclosed. An improved type of modern suction cleaner is disclosed inwhich the nozzle l is connected to the fan chamber 2 at one side of themotor casing 1, the cleaner being of the type in which the motor axisextends parallel to the nozzle. The air passageway 3 extends from oneside of the nozzle to the inlet 4 of the fan chamber, and is provided inits floor-cleaning relationship with a removable cover plate 5 oppositethat inlet which covers an opening 6 therein. An unshown motor of anordinary type is positioned within the casing l, the shaft 9 of whichextends'into the fan chamber 2 where it carries a suctioncreating fan 8.Fan 8 is effective in the operation of the machine to draw air throughthe nozzle I, into the passageway 3 and fan chamber 2, and exhaust itthrough the outlet l into the dust bag H which is removably secured bymeans l2.

The opposite end of the motor shaft 9 is extended beyond the motorcasing 1 and is formed at its end as a pulley. A driving belt l3connects to this pulley and extends through a belt passageway |4 down tothe end of the nozzle where it encircles the pulley l5 positioned atthat point upon the rotary agitator l6 mounted within the nozzle. Thisagitator is of a common well-known design, comprising a cylindrical bodyand elongated rigid beating elements and brushes. Its

particular design, however, is not of the essence of the invention, itbeing sumcient that it is an agitator removably mounted within thenozzle I and adapted to contact the surface covering between the lipsthereof. The belt channel I4 is provided with an opening, indicated byreference character l1, adjacent the pulley on the, shaft 9 and aremovable cover plate I8 is provided therefor, the construction beingsuch that with the cover plate removed the belt- |3 may be removed fromor attached to the shaft pulley.

The entire machine, which is shown in its floorcleaning relationship inFigure 5, is movably supported upon front and rear wheels l9 and 20, and

there is provided a pivoted handle 2| by which the operator can exert apropelling force. In

order that the nozzle may be adjusted vertically relative to the surfacecovering undergoing cleaning the front wheels H! are pivoted upon acrank shaft 22 which is spring-pressed upwardly by a spring 23, theupward movement of the crank shaft being determined by the verticallymovable arm 24 which is screw-threaded at its top and extends throughthe manually rotatable nut member 25 carried by the plate 26. The lowerend of arm 24 is slotted, as at 21, making possible a limited movementof crank arm 22 with no manual adjustment of the nut 25 and arm 24. Inits normal operation the crank shaft 22 is pivoted, under the forceexerted by the spring 23, to the top of the slot 21 and any verticalmovement of arm 24 is accompanied by a corresponding vertical movementor angular adjustment of the crank shaft.

The suction cleaner described is shown in Figer end of the dusting toolunit, comprising a converter member 30 and a flexible tubular hose 3|removably attached thereto by manually operable means 32, is attached tothe cleaner; the cover plate 5 having been removed that the convertermember 30 can extend through the opening 6 and into mating relationshipwith the eye 4 of the fan chamber 2. Converter member 30 h is removablysecured in place relative to the fan chamber by outwardly extending lugs33, 33 each of which is adapted to pass through a similarly shapedopening 34 in the air passageway wall as the converter moves axially inthe direction of 75 the eye 4 of thefan chamber. After the lugs 33,

ure 5 with the air passageway cover plate 5 in.

In the relationship shown in Figure l the clean- 33 have passedcompletely into the air passageway, and the converter member has madesealing contact with the eye 4 of the fan chamber, it is rotated uponits seat about an axis parallel to the motor shaft 9 until the lugs 33,33 are positioned below openings 35, 35, shown in Figures 1 and 3, atwhich time a spring-pressed detent 36 carried by each lug 33 seats ineach opening 35. Each detent 36 is slightly greater in size than itsseating opening 35 and is rounded at its end, the relationship beingsuch that the exertion of an appreciable rotating force upon theconverter member is sufficient to dislocate the detent from its seat andpermit the realinement of the lugs 33, 33 with the openings 34, 34 thatthe converter member may be removed. The springs of the detents alsoexert a force to hold the converter member to its seat in the fanchamber eye.

In order that the agitator IE will not contact the surface coveringduring the use of the dusting tool units a downwardly extending arm 40is integrally formed on the converter element 30. A second rigid arm 4|is rigidly secured to the wheelcarrying crank shaft 22 and extendsupwardly toward the passageway opening 6 and at the side of thepassageway 3. The normal position of the arm 4| in on-the-floor cleaningis shown in full lines in Figure 5 and in dotted lines in Figure 1. Witha converter member in its first position relative to the fan chamber,that is, with each lug 33 immediately inside its opening 34, the rigidarm 40 on the converter extends to the rear of the .arm 4|, the exactangular position of which would be varied somewhat by the adjustment ofthe nozzle height by the aforedescribed adjusting means 25. Upon therotation of the converter member 30, however, arm 40 contacts and pivotsarm 4 I, rotating the crank shaft counter-clockwise, as viewed in Figure1, and moving the wheels l9, l9 downwardly. This movement isaccomplished with no adjustment in the manual adjusting means 25 as theshaft 22 merely slides in the vertical slot 21 of the arm 24. In Figure4 the relationship in which the nozzle has been raised by the insertionof the converter member to its working position is disclosed. With thecrank shaft pivoted and the wheels lowered to the position shown inFigures 1 and 4 the nozzle is raised to a height above the floorcovering such that the agitator cannot contact therewith.

Referring now to Figures 6 to 9, inclusive, the second preferredembodiment of the invention is disclosed. This embodiment of theinvention differs from that aforedescribed in the means by which theconverter unit is secured to the cleaner proper, and also in the detailsby which the nozzle is raised when the unit is attached.

In the present embodiment of the invention the lugs 33, 33 with theirspring-pressed detents 36,

compresses the springs 5|], 50 against the sides of the converter memberuntil the shoulder 5| on each spring has passed through the opening 5 ofthe passageway 3. Thereafter spring 50 of the converter member beingprevented until.

the extended outer end of the spring is manually ID, DilUbfllHU.onnuuwu.

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Search Room compressed moving the shoulder within the diameter of theopening 6.

In place of the cooperating arms 40 and 4| of the last embodiment alinkage system is pro- 5 vided comprising a rigid arm 52 carried by theing said unit to a certain position, and means 5 crank shaft 22. Arm 52is pivotally attached to on said unit to operate said adjusting means toa centrally pivoted lever 53, the opposite end of raise said agitatorrelative to said surface upon which is pivotally attached to a plungermember the moving of said unit to locking position.

54. Member 54 extends in substantially sealed 4. In a suction cleaner ofthe type including a relationship through an opening 55 in the pasbody,suction-creating means in said body, and 10 sageway 3 and is provided atits inner end with an agitator carried by said body; means movably anoutwardly sloping shoulder or cam face 56 supporting said body, manuallyadjustable means which is adapted to be contacted and moved by to adjustsaid supporting means to raise and lower the inner end of the convertermember 30. said body and agitator relative to the surface 5 In thecleaner assembled for on-the-fioor covering, additional means to adjustsaid supcleaning with the cover plate 5 in place over the porting meansindependently of said manually opening 6 in the air passageway 3, andwith the adjustable means, a dusting tool unit adapted to front wheelsI9, 19 adjusted so that the nozzle I be connected to said body and tosaid suctionis in effective position relative to the surface creatingmeans and to be locked relative thereto 20 covering, the relationship ofthe parts is as shown in a certain position, and means operative upon 20in Figure 9. The crank-shaft-contacting spring said unit being adjustedto its locked position to 23 urges the shaft to the top of the slot 21in actuate said additional means to raise said body the arm 24 and therigidly carried arm 52 is pivand agitator relative to the surfacecovering un oted downwardly and the cam face of the arm 54 dergoingcleaning.

25 is positioned ahead of the eye 4 of the fan cham- 5. The constructiondefined by claim 4 charber. Upon attachment of the converter memberacterized by the fact that said body includes a 30, the cover plate 5having been removed, the nozzle, that said agitator is positioned insaid inward movement of the converter results in its nozzle, that saidmanually adjustable means adforward edge contacting the slantingshoulder justs said nozzle relative to the surface covering 56 ofplunger 54 and the movement of that memundergoing cleaning within a.range of working 30 her radially outward from the motor shaft axispositions, and in that said additional adjusting as the converter memberadvances towards its means moves said nozzle to a position outside itsseat against the eye. The outward movement working range.

of the plunger 54 results in a pivotal movement 6. The constructiondefined in claim 4 charof the lever 53 and the upward pivotal movementacterized by the fact that the variation of body of the arm 52 carriedby the crank shaft which height and agitator height by said additionaladaccordingly produces a downward movement of justing means isaccomplished without change in the wheels l9, Hi, the shaft slidingwithin the said manually adjustable means. slot 21 in the arm 24. Withthe converter mem- 7. The construction defined by claim 4 charherpositioned in its seat, as shown in Figure 7, acterized by the fact thatsaid unit is turned upon 40 the member 54 has been moved to its outerposiits seat on said body in order to move it to locktion and the nozzleis raised clear of the covering position. ing. Upon the removal of theconverter mem- 8. In a suction cleaner of the type including a her thelever system, including the plunger 54, body having a nozzle, agitatingmeans in said returns to its original position, the shaft being nozzle,suction-creating means connected to said raised upwardly in the slot 21under the pivotal nozzle, supporting means including a crankarm forceexerted by the crank-shaft-contacting with wheels, and adjusting meansto pivot said spring 23, described in connection with the first crankarmto vary the height 01' said nozzle and e bodiment, agitating meansrelative to the surface covering I claim: undergoing cleaning, said bodybeing provided 50 1. In a suction cleaner of the type including with adusting tool unit seat; a rigid arm member suction-creating means, and adriven agitator; connected to said crankarm and extended adjameanssupporting said agitator relative to a surcent said seat, a dusting toolunit adapted to be face covering undergoing cleaning, a dusting toolconnected to said body on said seat, said unit 35 unit adapted to beconnected to said suctionbeing adapted to be locked relative to saidbody creating means, said unit being movable to and in a certainposition, said unit being formed with from a seating position relativeto said means, a rigid arm member so positioned that it extends andcooperating means on said cleaner and on into the space normally occupedby the rigid arm said unit functioning upon the moving of said membercarried by said crank shaft with said unit into its seating position toraise said aginozzle positioned for floor cleaning, said rigid 60 tatorabove the surface covering undergoing arm on said crank shaft beingmovable from the cleaning. path of said rigid arm on said unit upon thepiv- 2. The construction defined by claim 1 whereoting of said crankshaft to raise said nozzle. in the means supporting said agitatorrelative to 9. The construction recited by claim 8 charthe surfacecovering are combined with means acterized by the fact that said dustingtool unit 65 to adjust its height relative thereto, said heightcontactsits seat with said arms spaced and is roadjusting means being soconstructed that the tated on its seat to locking position, the arm onraising of said agitator upon the seating of said said unitcontacting-and moving the arm on said unit is accomplished withoutchange in said crankshaft thereby raising said nozzle when saidheight-adjusting means. unit is so rotated. 70

3. In a suction cleaner of the type including 10. In a suction cleaner,suction-creating a portable body, suction-creating means, and agimeans,an agitator, a body including a dusting tating means; means supportingsaid agitating tool seat, means to support said agitator above a meansrelative to a surface covering undergoing surface covering undergoingcleaning, and means cleaning, meansto adjust the height of said suptoadjust said supporting means to raise and lower 75 porting meansrelative to said agitating means, a dusting tool unit adapted to beconnected to said body and to said suction-creating means, means to locksaid unit to said body upon movsaid agitator; a movable memberobstructing said dusting tool seat, and means connecting saidobstructing member to said agitator-supporting means to move same, and adusting tool unit 5 adapted to contact and force said obstructing memberfrom its path and seat on said seat, the movement of said obstructingmember resulting in the lowering of said supporting means and theraising of said agitator out of contact withthe surface coveringundergoing cleaning.

11. In a suction cleaner of the type adapted for on-the-fioor andoff-the-floor cleaning, suction creating means, agitating means arrangedfor on-the-fioor cleaning, means to convert said cleaner from anon-the-fioor unit to an ofi-thefloor unit, and means on said cleaner toraise and lower said agitating means, and means to actuate said lastmentioned means upon the conversion of said cleaner to an off-the-floorunit to raise said agitating means from contact with a supportingsurface covering.

12. In a suction cleaner, air moving means, an air passageway connectedto said means, a second air passageway adapted to be connected to said 5means and movable relative thereto, means to support saidfirst-mentioned air passageway, and means interconnecting saidlast-mentioned means and said second airpassageway and operated by saidsecond air passageway upon its movement to 30 adjust said supportingmeans to vary the position of said first-mentioned air passagewayrelative to the supporting surface.

13. In a suction cleaner, suction-creating means, an air passagewayconnected to said means having an inlet adapted to contact a surfacecovering undergoing cleaning, a second air passageway connected to saidmeans and movable relative thereto while so connected, and means tochange the position of said first-mentioned air 40 passageway relativeto the supporting surface being controlled by said second airpassageway, said last-mentioned means comprising adjustable supportingmeans and means connecting said sup porting means to said second airpassageway.

45 14. In a suction cleaner, suction-creating means, a nozzle, anauxiliary air passageway connected to the intake of said means andmovable between certain positions while so positioned, and meanscomprising surface-contacting means and 50 Dower-transmission meansoperated by said auxiliary air passageway to raise said nozzle relativeto a supporting surface upon the movement of said auxiliary airpassageway to a certain position.

15. In a suction cleaner having suction-creating 55 means, a body havinga dusting tool seat open supporting means and said movable member, saidagitator-supporting means being connected to said movable member,whereby upon the movement of said obstructing member to a non-ob-'structing position said supporting means moves to certain positions.

16. In a suction cleaner of the type adapted for on-the-floor and forofl-the-fioor cleaning, air moving means, a nozzle for on-the-floorcleaning connected to said means, means to convert said cleaner from anon-the-fioor unit to an ofi-thefloor unit, means to support said nozzlerelative to a surface covering undergoing cleaning, and meansinterconnecting said supporting means and said converting means to movesaid supporting means upon the conversion of said cleaner to anoff-the-fioor unit to raise said nozzle from contact with a supportingsurface covering.

17. In a suction cleaner of the type adapted for on-the-floor and foroff-thefloor cleaning, airmoving means, a nozzle for on-the-floorcleaning connected to said means, means obstructing the conversion ofsaid cleaner from an on-the-fioor unit to an oiT-the-floor unit, meansto position said nozzle relative to a surface covering under goingcleaning, and means interconnecting said conversion-obstructing meansand said nozzlepositioning means, characterized in that saidinterconnecting means insures the positioning of saidconversion-obstructing means in inoperative position and the positioningof said nozzle-positioning means to support the nozzle above and out ofcontact with a supporting surface at the same adjustment.

18. In a suction cleaner of the type adapted for on-the-floor and foroff-the-floor cleaning, airmoving means, a nozzle for on-the-floorcleaning connected to said means, means obstructing the conversion ofsaid cleaner from an on-the-floor unit to an off-the-floor unit, meansto position said nozzle relative to a surface covering undergoingcleaning and connected to said conversion obstructing means for conjointmovement, characterized in that with said nozzle-positioning meanssupporting said nozzle above and entirely out of operative relationshipwith a supporting surface covering said conversion-obstructing means isin an inoperative position.

HARRY B. WHITE.

